GOAL:
Protect public health and the environment from accidental releases of oil and petroleum products, and hazardous substances.

OBJECTIVE:
Provide preparedness planning, a comprehensive regulatory program to prevent accidental releases, and response capability for accidental releases in need of immediate attention.

STATUS & TRENDS:
With the constantly improving testing procedures available, releases of contamination can be detected at smaller and smaller concentrations and more rapidly. Also standards for assuring environmental protection and public health are evolving and becomin g more stringent as risk assessment information sources improve. Heightened public awareness of environmental and public health risks has resulted in increased reporting of spills and releases. The Department's efforts include training, contingency plan ning, maintaining emergency response equipment and capabilities, regulating storage and operations of bulk oil, petroleum, and chemical facilities and transporters. The State Emergency Spill Response Fund provides funding for immediate remediation of an accidental spill and where the responsible party cannot be readily identified or fails to take immediate action. The Department of Environmental Protection does pursue cost recovery against responsible parties.

STRATEGIES:

1. Develop, implement, and improve regulation of the construction, design, installation, removal, monitoring, and maintenance of all above ground and underground oil, petroleum, and hazardous substances storage systems.
2. Continue efforts to provide coordination, training, equipment and technical assistance to local and industrial spill response personnel.
3. Assure adequate ability and equipment is available to implement spill containment procedures for all above ground storage systems and for vessels transporting petroleum products and chemicals, giving priority to spills in Long Island Sound.
4. Coordinate emergency planning efforts conducted pursuant to the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-to know provisions of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA).
5. Promote the development of new technologies and disposal options for soil contaminated by petroleum spills, leaking tanks, and other accidental releases of petroleum products.
6. Review the sources and levels of funding, uses and applications of the State Emergency Spill Response Fund.
7. Establish specific standards for the reporting of spills and accidental releases.